illuminate

1 of 3

verb

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
illuminated; illuminating

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to supply or brighten with light
(2)
: to make luminous or shining
b
: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
c
: to subject to radiation
d
archaic : to set alight
2
a
: to make clear : elucidate
b
: to bring to the fore : highlight
a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are
3
: to make illustrious or resplendent
4
: to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures
illuminator noun

illuminate

2 of 3

adjective

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
1
archaic : brightened with light
2
archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

illuminate

3 of 3

noun

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət How to pronounce illuminate (audio)
archaic
: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment

Example Sentences

Verb the part of the moon illuminated by the sun A university study has illuminated the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The connections McQueen draws are about illuminating the past, not explaining it. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2023 His specialty is imaging up a landscape that utilizes pebbles and rocks, trees that are more natural, with lights illuminating them at night, and flowers like gardenias that perfume the entrance to a home. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2023 Combined, however, the situations at these three schools illuminate a broader concern about sports gambling on college campuses across all levels of competition. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 12 May 2023 Also available are a 360-degree exterior camera, over-the-air updates, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Ford's Zone Lighting system that lets owners selectively illuminate exterior lighting when parked. Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 11 May 2023 The light passing through clear skies from the rising sun illuminates the underside of the incoming clouds. Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 7 May 2023 Kiunkaku is a 1919 former private villa preserved by the city of Atami as a time-traveling historic residence that features tiled Roman-style baths illuminated by stained glass. David Hochman, Forbes, 6 May 2023 This image, along with other data, provides crucial evidence illuminating some of the drama unfolding in and around supermassive black holes. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 1 May 2023 Steps and walkways should also be illuminated for safety. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2023
Adjective
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize. IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023 Flashlights, lamps, and cellphones illuminate bodies but obscure faces. Danielle Momoh, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 Cole’s remarkable and unforgettable novel and its flâneur protagonist, Julius, a Nigerian immigrant, illuminate aspects of New York rarely before depicted in fiction. New York Times, 30 June 2022 Tender interactions like these illuminate Chloe’s emotional state, giving viewers more to latch on to than her longing stares and anxious lip biting. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022 Animated characters sing along as trees and snowflakes illuminate to the beat. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 The details of the dispute illuminate major hurdles that countries around the globe will face in eliminating coal from their energy mix—and the need to develop local solutions to set an ambitious and actionable path toward decarbonization. Baker Institute, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021 If sentiments seem easily derived in a few stories, in the best ones, mysteries like Theodosia's illuminate larger truths about love, loyalty and the persistence of memory. Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021 The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges. Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of illuminate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near illuminate

Cite this Entry

“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 27 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

illuminate

verb
il·​lu·​mi·​nate
il-ˈü-mə-ˌnāt
illuminated; illuminating
1
: to supply with light : light up
illuminate a room
the part of the moon illuminated by the sun
2
: to make clear : explain
illuminated the point with good examples
3
: to decorate with designs or pictures in gold or colors
illuminate a manuscript
illuminative
-ˌnāt-iv
adjective
illuminator
-ˌnāt-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on illuminate

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